Headspace
An app that teaches you to meditate with short guided sessions.
What Headspace does
Headspace is a guided meditation app known for its friendly, simple teaching style. It also has sleep sounds, bedtime stories, breathing exercises and focus music. It works on iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac.
Headspace is a good first meditation app. Sessions start short and explain what to do, so you're never left sitting in silence wondering if you're doing it right.
At night you can switch to sleep sounds and Sleepcasts, which are long, gentle audio stories. During the day there's focus music, mindful movement and an AI companion called Ebb you can chat with.
Headspace also offers paid therapy and coaching inside the app, priced separately. For most people the main draw is the meditation library, which needs a subscription after the free trial.
A good way to try it: do the beginner course during the free trial and see if a few minutes a day sticks. If you only open it at night for sounds, a cheaper sleep app may suit you better.
Alternatives to Headspace
Who it's for
Skip it if: Anyone looking for a fully free meditation app. People who mostly need white noise for sleep.
Pricing
Headspace is free to download and comes with a free trial. After that it's $12.99 a month or $69.99 a year in the US. Therapy and coaching cost extra.
Prices can vary by country. Checked 19 Oct 2026.
What people like
- Very beginner friendly
- Polished courses with a clear path
- Sleep and focus content included
- Works on iPhone, Android and Mac
Watch out for
- Needs a subscription after the free trial
- Sound mixing is limited compared with sound apps
- No sleep tracking
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Questions people ask
Is Headspace free?
You can download it and start a free trial, but the full library needs a subscription afterward.
How much does Headspace cost?
In the US it's $12.99 a month or $69.99 a year, according to its App Store listing.
Is Headspace good for beginners?
Yes. It's built around short guided sessions that explain each step, which is why many people start here.
Headspace or Calm?
Headspace leans toward teaching meditation step by step. Calm leans toward sleep stories and relaxation. Both have sleep and meditation content.